Verstappen faces Mercedes start threat as F1 wait on crucial tyre decision

Qatar GP: Max Verstappen faces Lewis Hamilton and George Russell start threat as F1 wait on crucial tyre decision Max Verstappen won't necessarily have a straightforward drive to victory on Sunday as George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and tyres stand in the way of him elongating his championship celebrations; watch the Qatar GP live on Sky Sports F1 at 6pm on Sunday, build-up from 4:30pm By Nigel Chiu Last Updated: 07/10/23 11:45pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player George Russell says his Mercedes team must 'raise their game' next season if they're to challenge the Red Bulls, while Lewis Hamilton predicts a challenging race on Sunday George Russell says his Mercedes team must 'raise their game' next season if they're to challenge the Red Bulls, while Lewis Hamilton predicts a challenging race on Sunday Max Verstappen will be looking to celebrate his 2023 title triumph with his 14th win this season at the Qatar Grand Prix. Verstappen starts on pole position for the second ever F1 race in Qatar but will face a big challenge from the two Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at the start.It's a long run down to Turn 1 and the Sprint showed the cleaner, left-hand side of the grid is where you want to be to get a good launch. With Hamilton starting in third (on the left) and Russell in second (on the right), it could be the seven-time world champion who gets into the slipstream of Verstappen and goes for it in the first couple of corners, reminding us all of those feisty 2021 opening race exchanges."I'm battling the guy to the right of me for sure (Verstappen)," said Hamilton after qualifying on Friday at the Losail International Circuit."I'll give it everything to try and fight him. Maybe like George said, maybe he will just disappear like he does in most of the other races, but maybe we'll be able to fight. I'm trying to win the race. It doesn't matter who I'm fighting against." Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this Privacy Options However, he was less optimistic following Saturday's Sprint when discussing his targets for the race.Hamilton told Sky Sports F1: "I hope we can hold position. That would be amazing as a team. I think it will be difficult to beat the Red Bull. The goal is to keep the Ferraris behind and if there is any way of keeping the McLarens behind, we will do that. But it's going to be a long race."Russell also suggested Hamilton and himself "are going to have to work together to make sure we get a strong result for the team". Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz reflects on a thrilling Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix that saw Max Verstappen earn the points he needed to become world champion Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz reflects on a thrilling Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix that saw Max Verstappen earn the points he needed to become world champion The last two events in Singapore and Japan have showed both Mercedes will race each other hard, so they need to ensure they don't throw too many punches on the opening lap if they want to be ahead, or stay within touching distance.Tyre degradation is going to be a big problem too - even without the FIA mandating three pit stops (more on that later) - so Mercedes will have two cards to play with up front.Surprisingly, there were three Safety Cars in the Sprint, so Mercedes could split the strategy and some fortune for Hamilton or Russell with the timing of an accident could put Verstappen under a lot of pressure - if they keep him within sight. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The best of the action from a dramatic Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix The best of the action from a dramatic Sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix F1 teams wait on FIA tyre rulingIn a throwback to the 2005 Indianapolis Grand Prix, tyres may become a major storyline in the race due to safety concerns over tyre wear.Following analysis of the tyres used on Friday, in what was meant to be the sole practice session of the Sprint event, there were concerns from Pirelli over the impact the Losail International Circuit's 'pyramid' kerbs are having.In an attempt to reduce the impact, track limits at Turns 12-13 were revised, with the white line being moved inwards by 80cm, and an extra 10-minute 'practice familiarisation' took place ahead of the Sprint Shootout on Saturday.Pirelli and the FIA have analysed tyre data from the Sprint, when the majority of drivers started on the medium tyres. Depending on the analysis, the FIA could enforce a mandatory three pit stop rule for Sunday's 57-lap race, along with a maximum limit of 20 full laps run on any single new set of tyres.The consensus from drivers is safety comes first although some think, including Russell, that it should be up to the teams to take a risk on pushing the limits of a tyre